article Bluegrasspreps' Eastern Kentucky Power Rankings 9-4

1. Belfry Pirates (3A, 2-0)- Pirates have cut through their first two games like a machete and did so in the most impressive of fashions. Pirates may finally get their legs stretched this Friday against Newport Central Catholic.

2. Johnson Central Golden Eagles (4A, 2-0)- Two straight weeks of statement wins for the Golden Eagles secures them alongside Belfry at the top. The Golden Eagles will look to topped their seconnd West Virginia big boy school against South Charleston.

3. Corbin Redhounds (3A, 3-0)- Corbin has rolled impressively and made short work of Clay County.The Redhouds may be set to face their stiffest challenge of the regular season against a red hot 2A Danville Admirals.

4. Wayne County Cardinals (4A, 2-1)- Wayne County put a hurting on Perry Central and now set their attention on 3A Bell County. This team is starting to evoke memories of the 2013 squad.

5. Southwestern Warriors (5A, 2-1)- Southwestern needed a bounce back following the heartbreaking loss against Danville and a win over Knox Central on a Neutral Field was just the remedy. The Warriors now must focus on knocking off their second ranked 4A teams in as many weeks.

6. Pulaski County Maroons (5A, 1-1)- Maroons are now well rested and expect it to show this week against an over matched 4A Russell County squad.

7. Paintsville Tigers (1A, 3-0)- The biggest statement of the week was made by the Tigers as they put a good ole fashioned country butt kicking on 1A Champs Pikeville. The Tigers now have validated dreams of rings. This week they will get challenged against by a solid Ridgeview, VA team.

8. Rockcastle County Rockets (4A, 2-0)- The Rock didn't look like a a Top 10 team for a Half against South Laurel, but they rallied in the Second Half and asserted their will. The Rockets now get a chance for a statement win against a ranked 3A Garrard County team.

9. Knox Central Panthers (4A, 1-2)- The Panthers continue to take their lumps against a brutal schedule, the latest against #5 Southwestern in a hard fought game. Knox has a chance for a rebound against 5A Harlan County still hurting from a Belfry beatdown.

10. Russell Red Devils (3A, 2-0)- Any time you take down Ironton, OH it is a quality win. The Devils made school history by earning back to back wins against the Fighting Tigers and their Greenup win also continues to look good. Up next? Oh no one but their historic rival Ashland!

The Next Five (No Particular Order)

Raceland Rams (1A, 3-0)- Raceland is off to a great start and threatening right on the edge of the EKY Top 10. This week they square up Greenup County and look to further solidify their resume.

Pikeville Panthers (1A, 2-1)- The home spanking by Paintsville does not feel good, but if there was a silver lining it would be Pikeville's valiant Fourth Quarter efforts. Pikeville has lot their top spot in 1A but now must battle to retain their slot in the pecking order vs. Fairview.

Somerset Briar Jumpers (2A, 2-1)- Somerset took their first "L" to a very good Beechwood team but look to bounce back. What's the best way to get over losing to a Top 10 1A team? Beating another. Hazard is that opportunity.

Greenup County Musketeers (4A, 2-1)- The Musketeers went 12 rounds with 3A Fleming County but survived in the end. Greenup seemingly only plays rivalry games as this week they take on a very good 1A Raceland team.

Hazard Bulldogs (1A, 3-0)- The Bulldogs have a flare for the dramatic as they survived another scare to win their third straight to open the year. Somerset is yet another opportunity to assert themselves in the 1A Title Picture.

Player of the Week

RB Kent Phelps, Paintsville- The Senior speedster toted the rock 21 times for 207 yards and a pair of scores in a massive win against Pikeville.

Game of the Week

Russell Red Devils vs. Ashland Tomcats- The Tomcats are not used to smarting from a beat down, but they find themselves in that position following a blowout to George Washington, WV. Even less often is the number of times that Ashland has lost three straight games to open the season but with 2-0 Russell coming into Putnam Stadium it is a real possibility.

IMO Raceland is a top ten team, better than Russell and Paintsville. Good job though!

I could see Ashland actually beating Russell

Kent Phelps also had a 75 yd TD called back for a block 10 yds behind the ball.

Paintsville fumbled the ball in to the endzone and could have made the game 47-14. Pikeville will no doubt continue to grow and improve! The run game through the Charles kid in the 4th qtr was solid!

Kent Phelps also had a 75 yd TD called back for a block 10 yds behind the ball.

 

Paintsville fumbled the ball in to the endzone and could have made the game 47-14. Pikeville will no doubt continue to grow and improve! The run game through the Charles kid in the 4th qtr was solid!

True, and congrats to Kent Phelps. Got to remember too that if Andrew McNamee hadn't juggled and dropped a Wyatt Battaile pass in the end zone with a minute left in the game , it could have been a potential six point game or better. Can't go on ifs and buts though. Hard fought game, and looking forward to a second round.